Ok. after weighing all that was said I went out and picked up the DeWalt DCK265L 18V LI-ion 1/2” Drill/Driver & 1/4” Impact Drive kit at Home Depot with a 10% Lowes coupon, end result, $251. Pretty good deal I thought for two tools, two batteries and charger. I also then went to Lowes and picked up another Li-ion battery with charger for $125 after 10% coupon. So I have 3 batteries to rotate thus neither tool would be without a battery while one is charging nor would I then have to swap the battery back and forth between tools while one is charging.

Now the dilemma. I’m considering replacing the rest of my 14.4V tools at this time also, only because there seems to be some decent deals out there. I can pick up a 4 piece kit that would round out and replace some of my existing remaining 14.4V tools.

I can get the DCK470L 18V Li-ion kit for $549 and get a $50 gift card, out of pocket cost $549.

Or the DCK450X NiCad kit for $449 minus a 10% coupon, out of pocket cost $405.

Both kits contain a 1/2” Hammer Drill (a different model in each kit but comparable), a 6” Circular Saw (same model in both), a Reciprocating Saw (same model in both), and a Snake Light (same model in both). Being that they’re comparable or the same, that means the shoe for the battery on each tool is the new smaller design for the Li-ion battery and not old larger shoe that was for the NiCad battery, essentially all Li-ion tools in both kits. The cordless Reciprocating Saw is the only addition that I don’t currently have (but have been keeping an eye out for one) I do have a corded one. But as a buddy pointed out, the cordless ones do come in handy. besides the normal stuff, in remote corners of the garden/yard too. I can see that.

So, if I go the less expensive route it will cost $405 and I’ll have 3 Li-ion batteries, 2 NiCad XRP batteries and 2 Li-ion/NiCad chargers and can buy additional Li-ion batteries as the need arises or as deals show up.

If I go the more expensive route it will cost $549 and I’ll have 5 Li-ion batteries none of which are XRP’s and 3 Li-ion/NiCad chargers, and then use the gift card towards another Li-ion battery thus having a Li-ion battery for each tool.

So, I’m wondering what people would do in this case?

-- -Curt, Milwaukee, WI

13 replies so far

If it were me, I’s stick with all Li-ion. It’s a bit more, but you have the versatility of swapping out, etc. I did the same a year or so ago only I have all XRP. I like the idea of all being the same.

Opps, looks like I made a mistake. The DCK470L kit comes with XRP batteries, so I’d have 2 Li-ion XRP batteries and 3 Li-ion compact batteries and could pick up the 3rd Li-ion XRP battery with the gift card. That changes things a bit.

i think i would want it all the same…just a few more dollars, and there would be good continuity…....speaking of tools…i just got a new Freud jig saw…on sale for 80 bucks..normaly 130…at woodcraft….im pretty happy with it…..and 2 new micro shapers…i also got the router base from Stewart McDonald that autumn used in her blog on inlay…so new tools grace the shop…i think you will be happy with the change over to the new batteries and get away from the older nicad…..let us know what you do…and pictures would even be fun…..

Dude!!! How many batteries do you need? I would go with the Li-Ion 18V set and wouldn’t get any more batteries. 2 XRP plus 3 compact should be more than enough. Unless you plan on using all of the tools at once.

Sac, one for each tool and one or two spare fully charged. I hate swapping batteries between tools, want one to each.

Well, I just ordered the DCK470L 18V Li-ion kit, Merry Christmas to me. Northern Tool had a gift card thing going so I would get a $50 gift card on an order over $500. When I decided to order the kit I tried to use the promo code today but it said it was expired. I purposely emailed them a couple of days ago and asked how long the promo ran, I was told till Christmas, that be tomorrow.

So I called, talked to a very nice lady and explained this to her, she talked to her manager and they said because I had the email saying till Christmas (I guess it expired the 23rd but no date was stated when I asked), they said they’d still honor it. But instead of the gift card they just took the $50 off the top, so I got it for $499.99 with free shipping also. Woo-Who! I like deals!

Yeah but not as bad as NiCads. From what I’ve been reading Li-ion’s self discharge rate is 1/2 that of NiCads. What I read said NiCads self discharge at the rate of 1% per day so that says Li-ions will keep their charge twice as long.